Would protected wetlands count towards this credit?
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NC-2009 SSc5.1: Site Development—Protect or Restore Habitat
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wetlands?
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April Brown
Sustainable Building ConsultantGreen Bridge Consulting
LEEDuser Expert
41 thumbs up
April 25, 2014 - 12:18 pm
I do not have project experience with this but my inclination is that this would comply under specific circumstances. I would borrow from language in LEED ND (http://www.usgbc.org/credits/neighborhood-development-plan-neighborhood-...) that deals specifically with sites with wetlands to ensure compliant protection of the wetland from your development. For example,
Option 2. sites with wetlands and water bodies (1 point)
Design the project to conserve 100% of all water bodies, wetlands, land within 100 feet (30 meters) of water bodies, and land within 50 feet (15 meters) of wetlands on the site. Using a qualified biologist, conduct an assessment, or compile existing assessments, showing the extent to which those water bodies or wetlands provide (1) water quality maintenance; (2) wildlife habitat; and (3) hydrologic function maintenance, including flood protection. Assign appropriate buffers, measuring not less than 100 feet (30 meters) for water bodies and 50 feet (15 meters) for wetlands, based on the functions provided, contiguous soils and slopes, and contiguous land uses. Do not disturb wetlands, water bodies, or their buffers, and protect them from development by donating or selling the land, or a conservation easement on the land, to an accredited land trust, conservation organization, or relevant government agency (a deed covenant is not sufficient to meet this requirement) for the purpose of long-term conservation.